On Friday morning, the 10th of February, we must get the BMW out of Chile, as
the 90 day permit is about to expire. This was excuse enough to head to
Argentina. We plan on relaxing in Mendoza, in western Argentina (about 600
miles west of Buenos Aries) for 3 or 4 days, and then head back to Santiago to
join 40 other riders for a 4 day trip south of Santiago. This will be our
8th crossing of the Andes.

So off we go, climbing the Andes.

The roads and
temperatures are great.

Up and up we go. In Chile they actually number each
switchback.

This was switchback 18, and we are only starting up the
hill..

Previously, we have reach altitudes of 16,000 feet to
cross the Andes.

This time we are crossing near the highest spot in
the Western hemisphere, Mt. Aconcagua, which is 22,831 feet high.

But, we must only climb to 12,560 feet.

This photo was taken at the 8,000 foot level.

Here, at 9,000 feet we pass a beautiful lake.

We
are only 10 miles from reaching Argentina.

The same lake, with the ski lodge in sight.

At the 10,000 foot level, you have the option to take
the tunnel through the mountain, into Argentina, or take the dirt road
2,560 feet higher over the ridge line.

No option for a dirt rider.

Take the dirt......

So we climb and climb and climb. The bike is jetted for sea level.
The bike is way overloaded as we had just returned from home with too much
garbage. The bike will not run unless I keep the RPM's above 3,000.
Below 3,000 and motor dies. If I give it any gas at all the front wheel
starts floating, making turning impossible.

We have ridden over 9,000 miles in South America and my clean record is
broken. We biffed it. No big deal. Just embarrassed!

Sandy is a great sport. No big deal.
It was only 750 feet down, over the berm!

Hey....... This is starting to be an Adventure
again.

This would have been a lot of fun on the KTM 525!

The vistas were stunning.

We get to the top of the pass, and meet a couple, riding
their African Twin.

They were from Buenos Aries.

Sandy, standing on the Chile - Argentina border.

Description of monument.

Now for a "Then and Now", and the reason we could not take the tunnel.
We had to get to the "Redeemer". This picture was from Fireside Travels in
South America, printed in 1948, by James Fitzpatrick.

The next "Then and Now" was at the same location. It was photograph in
1925, by Frank Carpenter and published in his book "Carpenter's Travels".

Not much has changed here in 80 years.

This monument is right on the border between Chile and
Argentina, at 12,560 feet.

The dirt road over the pass is only open for 3 to 4
months a year.

Even in the middle of summer there is snow along the
road.

The dirt road, heading down into Argentina.

I am sure that if this terrain was in the United States,
it would be a National Park.

Another great vista......

Abandon railroad facilities, high in the Andes of
Argentina.

Life is good.

1) Nice Roads

2) Great scenery

3) Great weather

4) Beautiful skies

5) And the bike is running!

This is the dirt road we just completed to drop
into Argentina.....

On Saturday, the 11th of February we arise in the beautiful city of Mendoza,
Argentina. We are now about 600 mile West of Buenos Aries. Mendoza
has nearly 1,000,000 residents and is located at about 3,000 feet. This is
a big Wine area. And it is very inexpensive.

So we start the day out with a long walk on the tree
lined streets of Mendoza and spot this old "AJS" motorcycle.

And some unusual cars.

There are many old Citrons in Mendoza.

And old Ford Falcons, which are slightly different than
those in the States.

We gain access to the top of a 10 story building and get
this picture which shows the abundance of trees in Mendoza.

The streets are lined with sidewalk cafes.

We park the bikes at the hotel, next to 2 other BMW's which are obviously
travel around the world. They belong to Simon and Lisa Thomas. They
have had a rough 2 months. He rode his bike across a narrow and rotted
bridge in the Amazon, and flipped off the bridge and fell 12 to 15 feet and
landed on his head. Lisa watched as he laid there unconscious for 15
minutes. He broke his neck. He rode for 23 days to Sao Paulo, were
he had surgery and a titanium plate installed!

Here in Mendoza, he just got out of the hospital, trying to recover from
Malaria.

The board
collapsed, when his rear wheel started to cross the bridge.....

And no place to put his foot as the bike went over....

Simon, out cold, in the extreme heat of the Amazon
basin.

Five days of riding out...

With a broken neck...

Not a good day for Simon, in the Amazon basin.

And
this is 6 days after the accident.

It took five days of mud trails, to reach asphalt......

All with a broken neck!

His neck now has a device that now looks like a "Master
Link".

Simon, resting prior to surgery, in a Sao Paulo
hospital.

Simon and I have a few things in common.

1) We both ride BMW motorcycles

2) We both enjoy traveling

3) We are both lucky that our wives'
travel with us

4) And we both have scars on our necks
from Surgery!

5) And we both have "Pink"
toothbrushes, but that is another story....

Sandy, sitting on Simon's bike.

I am now suffering from "Decal" envy!

Simon is suffering from Malaria and recovering from a
recent neck surgery, but Lisa cuts him no slack!

Typical grill at an Argentine restaurant.

Argentina is
not a good place to be if you have 4 hooves!

They have covered a few miles during the 2 to 3 years!

So the BMW's get to spend 4 nights together.

And we
had 2 evenings with Simon and Lisa Thomas.

We are up until midnight for two nights in a row, sharing stories,
some of which we can't convey!

Mendoza skyline...

On Sunday (the 12th), we putt around Mendoza.

This is
Park San Martin, which covers many square miles.

The park had numerous fountains......

And other travelers!

In summary, I was a little depressed and concerned that the "Adventure"
aspects of our trip was over, and that the balance of our travels would be soft. But, as we travel South America in a counter clockwise
direction, we learn from Simon and Lisa , traveling in the clockwise direction,
that our Adventure is far from over......

For "Chile 7" hit the Next button...
For "Chile 5" hit the "Back Button"....